Description: The SR-71 Blackbird is a high-speed, high altitude reconnaissance aircraft developed during the cold war to conduct reconnaissance missions over hot spots across the world. The United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) sponsored its development beginning in 1959 as the A-12 with the aim to support the U-2 high altitude reconnaissance aircraft. The A-12 test aircraft led to the longer fuselage SR-71 Blackbird which first flew on December 22, 2008. Twenty eight SR-71A and three SR-71B trainers were built and served with the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing through to 1990. The SR-71 program was recovered in 1995 due to US Air Force reconnaissance capability shortfalls but was finally terminated in 1997. Three SR-71s served with NASA as high-speed test beds.

The SR-71 aircraft was powered by two Pratt & Whitney J58-1 engines each rated at 32,500-lb of thrust allowing a top speed of Mach 3 at 80,000-ft of altitude. It is said that the Blackbird could maintain its Mach 3 speed for 90 minutes. Other keys of the SR-71 are its titanium-made fuselage and its aerodynamic design. The SR-71B has the rear seat raised behind the first. Aurora, a Mach 5 reconnaissance aircraft capable of flying above 100,000-ft of altitude, was deemed as the replacement for the SR-71 within the United States Air Force but has not been confirmed yet.